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MUSIG RECORDING ATTACHMENT FOR KEY BOARD INSTRUMENTS. No. 373,644. Patented Nov. 22, 1887.

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, J. CARPENTER. MUSIC RECORDING ATTAGHMBNT FOR KEY BOARD INSTRUMENTS. No. 373,644. Patented Novx'ZZ, 1887.

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J. GARPENTIER.

- MUSIC RECORDING ATTACHMENT TOR KEY BOARD IN$TRUMENTS. N0. 373.644. Patented Nov. 22, 1887.

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JULEsoARPENTIER, or rams, FRANCE.

MUSIC-RECORDING ATTACHMENT FOR KEY-BOARD INSTRUMENTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 373,644, dated November 22, 1887.

Application filed June 4, 1887. Serial No. 240,257.

useful Improvements in Melographs, of which the following is a specification, and for which I have received Letters Patent in France, No.

176,500, June 1, .1886.

The melograph, as its name indicates, is an instrument for writing or recording music. It is designed for registering the musical compositions played on keyed instruments, such aspianos and organs. The notes are represented by marks traced on a so called endless band of paper.

Instruments of this character operate on the following principle: A band of paper, of suitable width and of indefinite length, is moved at a uniform speed past a cross-frame arranged perpendicularly to the direction of its movement, and which carries a row of equidistant marking points or styles arranged close together. Each of these styles is connected by some suitable mechanical or other means to the corresponding one of the keys ofthe musical instrument in such manner that when ever the key is depressed the style is moved into contact with the paper and there remains until the key is released. Thus the paper is marked with dots or lines corresponding in position to the respective keys and in length pressed.

One of the principal difficulties encountered in the construction of melographs is that the tracings produced by the styles upon the paper are not clear. The styles also wear away too rapidly, and it is dilficult to make them small enough so that the dimensions of the combined instrument shall not be inconveniently large.

My invention is designed to overcome these objections, "and, in general, to improve the construction of melographs.

Figure l of the accompanying drawings is a vertical transverse section of my improved melograph, cut in the plane of the line 1 1 in Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section thereof, cut in the plane of the line 2 2 in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view looking in the same direction as Fig. 2 and in section cut in the plane of the line 3 3 in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional View (No model.)

Patented in France June 1, 1856, No. 176,500.

of the parts shown in Fig. 8, cut in the same plane as Fig. 1, but looking in the opposite direction. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary section answering to a portion of Fig. 1 and illustrating a modified construction. Fig. 6 is a frag mentary front elevation answering to a portion of Fig. 2, and showing the construction illustrated in Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view, on a larger scale, of the construction shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a fragmentary cross-section of the keyboard of the piano or organ to which my invention is applied and of the electrical circuit by which the melograph is operated. J

Referring to the drawings, let A designate a horizontal cylinder of a length equal to the width of the band of paper to be used, I) the band of paper which passes beneath the cylinder A, and a a the several styles ormarkingpoints, which are arranged cquidistantly underneath the paper. I make the styles a a of simple rods or plates of steel, which I arrange vertically with their upper ends, which are shaped as shown on an exaggerated scale in Figs. 3 and 4, close to but out of contact with the band b of paper. The peripheral surface of the cylinder A is kept constantly moistened with ink, and is arranged slightly out of contact with the paper band. The styles to a are connected in any suitable manner with the re spective keys of the musical instrument, so that whenever any key is depressed the corresponding style a is raised, and when the key is released the style descends. Vthenever any style is raised, it presses the portion of the paper band 0 with which it comes in contact upward and against the peripheral surface of the inkingcylinder A, so that the latter transfers ink to the paper. As the paper moves forward at a uniform speed between the cylinder A'and the style a, a mark is formed on it of a length proportional .to the time during which the style remains pressed up. To effect this result and insure that the marking upon the paper shall be clear, the cylinder A is caused to revolve with the paper, and at aperipheral speed preferably equal to the speed of the paper.

Such is the general principle of my melograph. In the practical application of this principle certain accessories are necessary, which I will proceed to describe. If the cy1- inder A were a continuous cylinder,the line of paper immediately pressed upward by the style would not alone take the ink, but the neighboring portions of the paper extending to both sides of this line would be also inked to a greater or less degree, thereby causing a stained or blotted tracing that would be difficult to read. In order to avoid this serious inconvenience I form the cylinder A with parallel peripheral grooves c 0, corresponding in number and spacing with the styles a a, and thereby converting the cylinder A essentially into a series of narrow disks or wheels, d d, the peripheries of which are arranged in the same vertical planes as the styles a a. Thus whenever astyle a is raised, it presses the paper against the periphery of the corresponding wheel d, and the paper cannotloe soiled or inked for a greater width than that of the periphery of this wheel.

In order to prevent the paper when pressed up by one of the styles from coming in contact not only with the wheel (I immediately over that style, but also with the neighboring ones 011 either side, as would be apt to be the case, I provide a comb, 0, consisting of a steel plate fixed in position close beneath the cylinder A, on the side thereof at which the paper enters, with its teeth projecting into the grooves c c and extending slightly beyond the points of the styles a a, as clearly shown in Figs.'3 and 4. The teeth of the comb thus serve to confine the displacement of the paper efi'ected by one style a to the space between two teeth, so that the paper is, in fact, erimped or embossed upwardly, in the manner clearly shown in Fig. 3, and any marking of the paper by theneighboring wheels 01 d is prevented.

In order that the action of the respective styles shall result in the formation of clear lines or marks of ink upon the paper without reference to the length of time during which the paper is pressed up against the inking-cylinder, it is evidently necessary that this cylinder shall be continually reinked and that it shall continually present to the moving paper a freshly-inked surface. In order to realize this condition I cause the inking-cylinder to rotate with a peripheral speed equal to the speed of the paper and provide means for continnally reinking its peripheral surface. The inking-cylinder A is fixed on a shaft, O,which carries a pulley, D, by which means, or by other suitable means,it is rotated from an GX terior motor at a continuous and uniform speed. I utilize this continuous rotation of the cylinder A for propelling the band of paper at the same speed. To this end the cylinder A carries atits opposite ends two frictionwheels, 6' e, of the same diameter as the inking-wheels d d, or of slightly larger diameter. These friction -wheels are finely toothed or milled on their peripheries, in order to engage wheels are pressed up by means of springs g 9, Fig. 1, whiehact upon them through the medium of slidesff, to which they are pivoted. Thus the opposite edges of the band of paper are pressed between the'frictionwheels c and f, and it is forced to move along at the same speed at which the cylinder A revolves. This is the preferred means of propelling the paper; but it may be driven in any other manner by which shall be imparted to it the uniform and continuous motion, which is one of the conditions essential to the correct recording of the musical notes.

The inking-cylinder A is supplied with ink by means of a roller, B, which is mounted above it on a parallel axis and with its periphery in contact with the inking-surfaces of the cylinder A. This roller B should have a soft or yielding surface, and may be made with a casing of cloth, felt, sponge, or composition such as is employed for printers rollers. A little ink, which may be of aniline dissolved in alcohol, is applied from time'to time to the surface of the roller B by means of abrush or otherwise. Thus the roller B serves as a reservoir of ink. It is kept pressed against the cylinder A, either by the tension of springs or, preferably, as shown in the drawings, by its weight and that of the frame E, by which it is borne, and which may be lifted off from the machine, when desired, in order to reink the roller B, or for other purposes. The roller B is rotated by simple contact with the rollerA; or it may be connected thereto by gearing.

In order to insure a thorough distribution of the ink and the utilization of the entire surface of the roller B, as well as to prevent the soft surface of the latter becoming furrowed, as would be the case if it were to revolve in always the same longitudinal relation tothe roller A, I provide for imparting to the roller 13 a slow longitudinal movement back and forth, so that it continually presents pressed portions of its surface in contact with the peripheries of the inking wheels d d. This movement may be imparted to it in various ways, preferably by means of a camdisk, h, which is freely mounted on a pin or stud attached to the frame E, and is slowly rotated by means of a pinion,j, fixed on the shaft 0 and engaging gcarteeth 'i, formed 011 the periphery of this cam-disk. Its cam-surface is arranged to bear against one end of the spindle of the roller B, which is pressed against it by a spring, h, which acts upon the opposite end of the spindle, all as shown in Fig. 2.

I will now describe the connection of the styles a a with the keys of the piano or organ the performance of which is to be recorded. It is evident that this connection may be accomplished by purely mechanical means-as, for instance, by adopting wire connections analogous to those employed in houses for operating bells or annunciators-or a pneu matic transmission may be adopted.

I prefer, how ever, to effect the connection by electrical ICC.

, Fig. 8 is a crosssection of the key-board of the instrument, illustrating the method by which the electrical connection is effected.

the key 'K is pressed down, the spring a is depressed and its free end makes contact with the metal piece 1) and closes the circuit, thus exciting the corresponding electro-magnet, 7c, of the melograph. This system of circuit-closing contacts has the special advantage that it may be installed under any key-board whatever without necessitating any modification of the instrument,

In the melograph the actuating electromagnets 70 7c are arranged in tiers side by side and on opposite sides of the row of styles a a. Thus the magnets in the great number necessary to the instrument are disposed very compactly.

Each magnet has an armature, Z, arranged over it and pivoted to one of its poles, and each of the armatures Z extendsbeyond the magnet and terminates in a beak or finger, the extremity of which takes under a shoulder, av, on the corresponding style. Whenever the current passes to any magnet, its armature Z is attracted and tilted and the beak or finger thereof pushes up the corresponding style. This construction greatly simplifies the connections and avoids all objectionable play between the moving parts.

In certain cases it may be useful to render possible the reading ofthe band ofpaper by mechanical means, for which purpose I propose to make the marks of notation in relief by embossing them in the paper, either in lieu of inkmarks or in addition thereto. This might be done, for example, by applying the band of paper to a grooved plate and embossing it on the marked lines by means of a suitable point or pencil. It is preferable, however, in such case to obtain the embossing of the paper by the direct action of the melograph, to which end the instrument will be constructed to form the marks of notation on the band by embossing it in relief. Figs. 5, 6, and 7 illustrate the construction designed to accomplish this purpose. The cylinder A is formed with equi: distant circumferential grooves q g, which correspondin position and spacing with the styles a a, and the latter are adapted, when pressed up, to force the paper into these grooves, and thereby to emboss it in the manner shown in Fig. 7 The styles and the grooves should be shaped to conform to one another, as shown in this figure, although they may be given any suitable form. This method of recording by embossing in relief permits, as above stated, of reading the inscribed band by means of an appropriate machine, and it also enables the immediate repetition of the musical composimusical apparatus of any of the kinds heretofore known.

My invention is susceptible of considerable modification in its structural features, being by no means confined to the precise construction shown in the drawings, although these constructions are considered preferable.

Certain features of my invention may be used apart from the other features thereof. For example, the styles to a may consist of leversinstead of sliding rods, or they maybe otherwise formed or mounted,'as in any particular case may be deemed preferable.

I claim as my invention the improvements in melographs or music-recording instruments hereinbefore described, and defined as follows:

1. In a melograph, the combination, with means for propelling a band of paper, of a cylinder arranged on one-side of the band of paper, means for applying ink to said cylinder, and a series of styles arranged on the opposite side of the paper and movable toward said cylinder, in order to force the paper into contact therewith, so that it shall receive ink therefrom.

2. In a melograph, the combination, with means for propelling a band of paper, of a cylinder arranged on one side of the band of paper, means for rotating said cylinder at a peripheral speed approximately equal to the speed of travel of the paper, means for applying ink to said cylinder, and a series of styles arranged on opposite sides of the paper and movable toward said cylinder, in order to force the paper into contact therewith, so that it shall receive ink therefrom.

3. In a melograph, the combination, with means for propelling a band of paper, of a cylinder arranged on one side of the band of paper and having a series of parallel peripheral grooves, forming intervening inkingwheels, means for applyingink to said wheels, and a series of styles arranged on the opposite side of the paper, corresponding in spacing and position to-said inking-wheels and movable toward said cylinder, in order to force the paper into contact with saidinking-wheels, so that it shall receive ink therefrom.

4. In a melograph, the combination, with means for propelling a band of paper, of a cylinder arranged on one side of the band of paper and formed with a series of parallel peripheral grooves, means for applying ink to the peripheries of the inking-wheels formed by said grooves, a comb with its teeth projecting into said grooves between the axis of the cylinder and the band of paper, and a series of styles arranged on the opposite side of the 7 speed of travel of the paper, an inking-roller forapplying ink to said cylinder, arranged in contact therewith and pressed thereagainst by its weight or otherwise, and a series of styles arranged on the opposite side of the paper and movable toward said cylinder,in order to force the paper into contact therewith.

6. In a melograph, the combination, with means for propelling a band of paper, of a cylinder arranged on one side of the band of paper and formed with a series of parallel peripheral gro0ves,an inking-roller for applying ink to said cylinder,arranged in contact therewith,meehanism forlongitudinally reciprocating said inking-roller, and a series of styles arranged on the opposite side of the paper and movable toward said cylinder, in order to force the paper into contact therewith.

7. In a melograph, the combination, with means for propelling a band of paper, of a cylinder arranged on one side of the band of paper and formed with a series of parallel peripheral grooves, means for rotating said cylinder, aninking-roller arranged in peripheral contact with said cylinder and rotated thereby, mechanism for longitudinally reciprocating said inking-roller, consisting of a cam engaging the spindle thereof and driven by gearing from said cylinder, and a series of styles arranged on the opposite side of the paper and movable toward said cylinder, in order to force the paper into contact therewith.

8. In a melograph, the combination, with a rotative cylinder arranged on one side of a band ofpaperand a series ofstyles arranged on the opposite side thereof and movable toward said cylinder,in order to force the paper into contact therewith, of means'for propelling the band of paper, consisting of friction-wheels at the opposite ends of said cylinder, revolving therewith and engaging the opposite margins of the band of paper.

9. In a melograph, the combination of a cylinder, friction-wheelscarried at the opposite ends of said cylinder and engaging the opposite margins of the band of paper, loose friction-wheels on the opposite side of the paper, adapted to press the latter against said friction-wheels, whereby the paper is propelled upon the rotation of said cylinder and at the same speed as the periphery thereof, and a series of styles arranged on the opposite side of the paper from said cylinder and movable toward the latter, in order to force the paper into contact therewith.

10. In a melograph, the combination of means for propelling a band of paper, a cylinder arranged on one side of the paper, aseries of styles arranged close together in a row on the opposite side thereof and movable toward said cylinder, in order to force the paper against it, a'series of electro-magnets arranged in rows side by side and intiers one above another, and connections between the successive styles and the armatures of the magnets in different tiers, whereby several styles are disposed within the width of each magnet.

11. In a melograph, the combination, with means for propellinga band of paper, of a cylinder arranged on one side of the-paper, a series of styles arranged close together in a row on the opposite side thereof and consisting of metal rods disposed perpendicularly to the plane of the paper, with their ends nearly in contact therewith and capable of movement toward said cylinder, in order to force the paper against the latter, a series of electro-magnets arranged in rows side by side and in tiers one above another and on opposite sides of the row of styles, and connections between the successive styles and the armatures of the magnets in different rows and tiers, whereby several styles are disposed within the width of each magnet.

12. In a melograph, the combination of means for propelling a band of paper, a cylinder arranged on one side of the paper, a series of styles, a a, arranged in a row on the opposite side of the paper and consisting of flat metal rods disposed close together side by side and perpendicularly to the plane of the paper, and movable endwise toward said cylinder, in order to force the paper against the latter, a series of electro-magnets arranged in rows side by side and in tiers one above another, and the armatures Z Z of said magnets, constructed with beaks in different vertical planes coinciding with the planes of the corresponding styles, and each engaging a shoulder formed on the particular style corresponding to its magnet.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

J ULES OARPEN TIER.

Witnesses:

R0131. M. Hoorna, AMAND BITTER. 

